The Masterful Cat Is Depressed Again Today

Saku, a young woman still figuring out her everyday routine, adopts a stray black cat and quickly discovers he's anything but ordinary. Yukichi is a towering, humanoid-sized feline who treats housekeeping like a craft, cooks with surprising skill, and gets excited over supermarket bargains. The series follows their slow, oddball domestic life, where small chores, meals, and quiet moments carry most of the weight. Humor comes from the contrast between Saku's scattershot lifestyle and Yukichi's obsessive attention to household detail, while a soft sci-fi tone underlies the strange, oversized nature of the cat and the unusual rhythms of their shared apartment.

Created by Hitsuji Yamada and Tamazo Yanagi, the animated series debuted in 2023. It features voices by Yui Ishikawa, Hiroki Yasumoto, Ai Kakuma, and Katsuyuki Konishi, and it leans into detailed food and everyday scenes that highlight the animation studio's strengths.

The show hasn't been a presence on major international award lists, but it drew attention within anime communities for its distinct aesthetic and warm, slice-of-life approach. It received modest press coverage and positive mentions on streaming roundups rather than high-profile festival or awards recognition.

Among fans the show carved out a niche appeal, with Yukichi's design and the series' focus on cooking and grocery runs standing out. Posts and fan art celebrating those elements appeared online, and viewers who enjoy gentle, food-forward anime tended to recommend it to similar audiences.

Critical and viewer responses have been generally favorable, reflected in a user score near 7.8 out of 10 from a small sample. Reviewers and fans note the gentle humor, focus on domestic competence, and the oddball contrast between ordinary chores and an oversized, anthropomorphic pet. Major themes include companionship, caregiving through everyday tasks, and how small rituals can create stability.